Local roundup: Thetford girls pull past Rivendell

THETFORD — Coach Eric Ward made it quite clear that his Thetford Academy girls basketball team is capable of playing much better than it did on Thursday night, but the Panthers still played well enough to improve to 2-0 with a 42-31 win over Rivendell at Vaughan Gym.

Thetford took the lead midway through the first quarter and never looked back as the Raptors fell to 0-3.

Junior Madi Mousley led the Panthers with 14 points, and sophomore Charlize Brown — who helped Thetford win a state title in cross country this fall — added 13. Senior Alex McFate led Rivendell with 10 points, but she dealt with foul trouble and played limited minutes in the second half. Colleen Underhill had eight for Rivendell.

“We didn’t play our best basketball tonight,” Ward said. “For whatever reason, we were out of sync, and Rivendell played hard. Our goal is to be more consistent throughout.”

The Panthers hit the road for the first time next Tuesday when they head to Windsor. The Raptors host Poultney on Monday.

HANOVER — After coming close to pulling away multiple times in the first half, Hanover (3-0) broke the game open after halftime and cruised to victory.

Up 24-17 at the break, Hanover grew its lead to double digits in the third quarter. Hanover’s strong defense throughout the game set it up to get on a roll on the other end.

Junior guard Stella Galanes led HHS with 14 points, with senior guard Melissa Whitmore adding 10. Sophomore guard Sydney McLaughlin and senior center Jane Lackley had nine points each.

Hanover head coach Dan O’Rourke said it was encouraging to see his team win a physical game like this.

“Bow is an excellent team,” O’Rourke said. “Basketball is a game of spurts. I thought we maintained our composure throughout, and eventually we got that one little spurt that we needed to open up some distance between us.”

Hanover will look to keep it rolling on Saturday at Timberlane.

BRADFORD, Vt. — The Olympians outscored Hazen 19-8 in the fourth quarter to break open a tie game and register their first win of the season.

Senior Emma Parkin led all scorers with 20 point and junior Noell Kosolowsky added 11, eight of those in the fourth quarter.

Oxbow was up by four at halftime but Hazen would tie it after three quarters at 29.

Oxbow (1-2) travels to Hartford on Tuesday.

Boys BasketballHanover 53, Bow 50 (OT)

BOW, N.H. — Hanover got in the win column when senior Mason Gantrish scored the only points for either team in overtime on a three-point shot with 3.8 seconds to go

Hanover senior Max Galbraith had 20 points, including five threes, and senior Jacob Kubik-Pauw added 13 points, including nine foul shots, all in the second half. The game was close throughout, with ties at the end of the first half, third quarter and regulation.

Hanover (1-2) welcomes Oyster River on Saturday.

Unified BasketballStevens 36, Hanover 28

HANOVER — Tied 14 at the half, Stevens pulled away in the third quarter for the win.

For the Cardinals, Zach Balch, Zach Bascon and Erik Brusco had six points each. Hanover was led by Ellie Hayrda with 14 points, and Hope Dufty and Kai Ahern chipping in four points each.

Hanover travels to Newport on Monday.